49ers projected to receive 3 compensatory picks in 2026 NFL Draft after free-agent losses

NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein is already looking ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, projecting which teams will likely receive the most compensatory picks due to free-agent losses in 2025. He has the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers leading the way, each expected to receive the maximum of four compensatory selections.

As for the San Francisco 49ers, Zierlein projects they will receive three compensatory picks—two in the fourth round and one in the fifth. The losses factored into his projection are Aaron Banks, Charvarius Ward, Jaylon Moore, Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw, and Joshua Dobbs. Offset by free-agent additions Luke Farrell, Demarcus Robinson, and Mac Jones, the team is still expected to come out ahead.

Greenlaw was among the more significant offseason losses, though his compensatory value may be impacted as he is expected to miss time during the 2025 season due to a quadriceps injury.

"The 49ers lost substantially more free-agent value than they added in 2025, so the math should work in their favor, with Banks, Ward and Hufanga bringing in a good haul," Zierlein wrote.

His projection aligns with the one from Over The Cap, which also expects two fourth-round picks for the departures of Banks and Ward, and a fifth-rounder for Hufanga.

Compensatory picks are awarded in rounds three through seven and are based on a formula that considers average salaries, snap counts, and postseason honors.

"While there is an expected level of compensation for a player based on the amount he has signed for, his playing time (or lack thereof) in the upcoming season could alter the expectation," Zierlein added.